Tokyo vs Toronto: cost of living for digital nomads

Tokyo, Japan and Toronto, Canada, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Tokyo is about 16% cheaper than Toronto for a month of nomad living ($2,800 vs $3,340).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $1,300 in Tokyo against $1,800 in Toronto.
  • Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Toronto: 250 Mbps typical against 230 Mbps.
  • Tokyo is temperate; Toronto is continental.

Tokyo wins 4 of the measured lines; Toronto wins 2.

Frequently asked questions

Which city is cheaper, Tokyo or Toronto?

Tokyo is cheaper: about $2,800/month against $3,340/month in Toronto, roughly 16% less for a typical remote worker's budget.

Which city is safer, Tokyo or Toronto?

Tokyo scores higher on safety: 10/10 against 7/10 for Toronto.

Which has faster internet, Tokyo or Toronto?

Toronto has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 230 Mbps in Tokyo.

LineTokyoToronto
Monthly total (USD)$2,800$3,340
Rent$1,300$1,800
Food$650$650
Transport$120$110
Coworking$200$220
Safety (out of 10)10/107/10
Internet (Mbps)230250
Climatetemperatecontinental
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/107/10

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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Tokyo October 31, 2026, Toronto September 11, 2026.